With the improvement in technology in recent years, video interviews are becoming more commonplace among employers. Though this method may never replace in-person interviews, webcam interviews often conducted live via Skype will be the crucial phase for candidates to qualify for the most coveted round of an “in-person” interview.

Jeffrey Garber is the co-founder and CEO of 360JobInterview.com in Fayetteville. His company provides live one-on-one coaching services over the Internet in career counseling, preparing for interviews and resume building.

Help During Hard TimesCentral New York experts in career counseling, job placement and family budgeting share their advice on landing a job, moving up in a career, re-entering the job market or stretching a budget. Find their tips each Monday in MoneyWise in The Post-Standard and here on syracuse.com.

Something to remember at all times is that a video interview is still an interview. It should not be taken any less seriously than an interview that is conducted in person. You are talking to a potential employer, so don’t think that just because you’re not in the room with him or her physically that you can slouch or get by with any less than you could in person. Prepare as if the interview will be in person, but do it on video.

The thing which you may want to keep in mind most during a video interview is that you may have to be a little more straightforward in presenting your own personal qualifications, aside from what is on your application. What employers see in individuals often determines who gets the job out of a crowd of people who are essentially equally qualified. Your unique attributes and personality are the elements you want to convey. This will mean being comfortable in the webcam venue, which will take planning and practice.

The key factor in all this is to be versatile. Perhaps the best recommendation is to work on your interviewing skills and be able to apply them effectively to any method of interview. This versatility may even show in the interviews and be viewed by the employer as a very useful character trait and set you off on a great first step toward a job, whether the interview is on video or face-to-face.

If your live webcam interview utilizes technology such as Skype, make sure you are familiar well in advance of how the software works, thus avoiding any last minute surprises or frustrations.

Lights, Camera, Action. Make sure that you are in good lighting; a naturally lit room with a window directly behind you is best. In a dark room, you may want to set up lamps with soft lighting. Women may opt for flattering make-up. Men should be clean shaven. Also, make sure that your face is oil free to minimize any shine.

Make sure that the background is clear and uncluttered. Don’t have a messy bookcase in the background or a kitchen that is full of pots and pans.

Take care of any potential noise distractions, from barking dogs to children running in and asking their parents if they could have an ice cream. Silence all phones. You may opt to put a sign on your front door to keep people from ringing the doorbell or knocking on the door.

Make sure to dress appropriately. There was one case where a man had to stand up in the interview to reach for something, and, believe it or not, all he had on below the waist was boxers.

Look into the camera. If the technology breaks down, don’t panic. You’ll be judged on how you recover.

Most importantly, prepare your answers, just like you would for an in-person interview, so you’re not caught online and unprepared.

Keep in mind that many webcam job interviews are recorded for the purpose of sharing with a hiring team and for them to have the ability to compare and contrast your candidacy among other candidates. This means that any errors you make in the webcam interview may actually have a longer-lasting impact on your job prospects than if those same errors had occurred during a live, in-person interview.

So, remember, live webcams mean REAL interviews with REAL results. Planning and research are key to your success, along with these valuable tips in embracing today’s technology as a pro!